The hub tool
Which kind of doctor handles this?
Medicine is full of specialists, and it is not always obvious whose door to knock on. Pick a body area and a concern to see which kind of doctor usually manages it, and why, with links to sibling sites where we cover a specialty in depth. Your GP remains the right first stop for almost everything.
Pick a concern above to see which kind of doctor usually handles it.
The specialties, in plain language
- General practitioner (your first stop)
- A GP or family doctor assesses most new problems, treats common conditions, and refers you onward when a specialist is needed. When in doubt, start here.
- Internal medicine physician
- A physician (internist) manages complex adult and chronic disease, especially when several conditions overlap, and coordinates care across specialists.
- Cardiologist cardio.mu
- Heart and blood-vessel conditions: chest pain, palpitations, heart failure, high blood pressure that is hard to control.
- Orthopaedic surgeon ortho.mu
- Bones, joints, ligaments and muscles: fractures, arthritis, sports injuries, joint replacement.
- Urologist urology.mu
- Urinary tract and male reproductive system: kidney stones, bladder symptoms, prostate concerns, blood in the urine.
- Ophthalmologist or optometrist eyecare.mu
- Eyes and vision: blurring, floaters, flashes, eye pain, and routine sight tests.
- Nephrologist dialysis.mu
- Kidney disease: reduced kidney function, protein or blood in the urine on testing, and dialysis care.
- Neurologist
- Brain, spinal cord and nerves: persistent headaches, dizziness, numbness, tremor, seizures, memory change.
- Gastroenterologist endoscopy.mu
- Digestive system: persistent heartburn, abdominal pain, altered bowel habit, and endoscopy.
- Endocrinologist
- Hormones and metabolism: diabetes that is hard to control, thyroid disease, and other glandular conditions.
- Respiratory physician
- Lungs and breathing: long-term cough, asthma, breathlessness, and sleep-related breathing problems.
- Dermatologist
- Skin, hair and nails: rashes that will not settle, changing moles, and persistent skin conditions.
- Ear, nose and throat surgeon (ENT)
- Ears, nose, sinuses and throat: hearing loss, persistent sinus problems, hoarseness, and swallowing difficulty.
- Rheumatologist
- Joints and autoimmune conditions: inflammatory arthritis, widespread joint or muscle pain with stiffness.
- Mental health professional
- Mood, anxiety and psychological wellbeing: your GP can start support and refer to psychology or psychiatry.
Covers 31 common concerns across 15 kinds of doctor. How care is organised varies by country and clinic; in Mauritius your GP guides you.
Sources
- Find a service and how the NHS is organised NHS, 2024
- Which type of doctor should I see? Cleveland Clinic, 2023
- How referrals to specialists work NHS, 2023
Last reviewed: 2026-07-16
